10 Reasons to Love Being a Black Woman Now

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This is our time to shine. From the brown-skin enhancing hues hitting the makeup and fashion scene this fall to the pride of watching First Lady Michelle Obama do her thing, ESSENCE rounds up the top 10 reasons why there’s no better time to be a Black woman! Are you feeling the love?

Bold and Beautiful

1/11

We can proudly go for the bold. We don’t have to shy away from the purple and green and burgundy makeup that will be all over the place this fall.

Photo by Corbis

Black Star Power

2/11

We’ve got Oprah & Whitney-together! Is it any surprise that our favorite Forbes chart-topper (#1 Top-earning Celebrity Over 50; #2 Most Powerful Celebrity) bagged the most coveted interview of the year? Check out the two megastars as they jump-start Oprah’s 24th season on September 14.

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Brown Skin

3/11

Melanin has our back. Although we still need to wear sun protection every day, we have a built-in SPF of about 13.

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Pretty in Pink

4/11

We knock brights out the park! Can fall’s electric oranges and purples and yellows be worn any better than against our brown skin? In our October issue, Estelle pops in neons with a little help from celebrity stylist June Ambrose. Don’t miss it.

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Curves Ahead

5/11

Others pay big bucks for what we get for free. Collagen injections in the lips. Pre-vacation tanning sessions. Booty implants. We can send our thanks up for a body that is often imitated but never duplicated.

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Terrific Tresses

6/11

Our hair! We take it from this…

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Lovely Locks

7/11

…to this!

Photo by Corbis

Touch of Gold

First and Foremost

9/11

The First Lady puts our best self forward. Mrs. Michele Obama embodies everything that we always knew we were—smart, stylish, beautiful, dynamic. But now, with her in the limelight repping us around the globe—from Philadelphia to Praque—the world’s image of us is finally getting on the same page.

Photo by Getty Image

Ageless Beauties

10/11

We age gracefully. You only have to look as far as your own mother to see this one. Need more proof? Check out these stunners: Desiree Rogers, age 50; Iman, age 54; and Diahann Carroll, age 74. Wow!

Photo by Getty Image

Love Being You

11/11

This is our time to shine. From our brown-skin-enhancing hues hitting the makeup and fashion scene this fall to the pride of watching First Lady Michelle Obama do her thing, ESSENCE rounds up the top ten reasons why there’s no better time to be a Black woman! Are you feeling the love?